A brief overview of Cuba for our island guests

Cuba is more than the largest island in the Antilles. It is an intricate archipelago comprising the main island (two-thirds the size of Florida), the Isle of Youth, and 4,195 keys [cayos] and islets. Their combined surface area is some 42,854 square miles. The country sits at the mouth of the Gulf of México, 87 miles from the Bahamas, 91 miles from Jamaica, 90 miles from Florida and 130 miles from Cancún.

Provinces

The Republic of Cuba is divided into 15 provinces, 168 municipalities and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud [Isle of Youth]. From west to east, the provinces are: Pinar del Río, Artemisa, City of Havana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

Geography

Cuba is a long and narrow island (746 miles from Cabo de San Antonio, the westernmost tip, to Punta de Maisí, the eastern tip). At its widest point it measures 130 miles and at its narrowest 20 miles. It is dominated by plains and has four major mountain ranges: the Guaniguanico mountains, in the west; Guamuhaya mountains in the central portion; the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa range; and the Sierra Maestra in the east. The latter contains the country’s highest peak: Turquino, 6476 feet high. The landscape is diverse, ranging from semi-deserts to tropical rain forests. The country has a large biodiversity and well-preserved ecosystems.

Population

Cuba has more than 11,350,000 people, with 75 percent of them living in urban areas. The average density is 100.3 residents per square kilometre, with the most heavily populated spots being the cities of Havana (2,198,000), Santiago de Cuba (1,023,000) and Holguín (1,021,000). The country’s official language is Spanish, although most Cubans working in the tourism industry can communicate in English.

Climate

Cuba’s climate is moderately subtropical and predominantly warm. The island’s average temperature is 77ºF and average relative humidity is 78 per cent. It also sees an average of 330 days of sunshine a year. Cuba’s two clearly defined seasons are the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April).

Protected areas

More than 300 protected areas in the country occupy some 22 per cent of the island. Six of these have been declared world biosphere reserves by UNESCO: Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Sierra del Rosario and Ciénaga de Zapata, in the west; Buenavista in central Cuba; and Baconao Park and Cuchillas del Toa in the east. More than half the island’s diverse flora and fauna are indigenous.

Historical summary

On October 27, 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Cuban archipelago during his initial voyage to the New World. Between 1511 and 1515, Diego Velázquez led the Spanish colonization of the island and founded the country’s first seven townships: Baracoa, Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Santísima Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe (Camagüey) and San Cristóbal de La Habana (Havana). Spanish domination lasted four centuries and ended with the country’s military occupation by the United States in 1898, which continued until 1902 when a neocolonial republic was established. The island’s history has been marked by repeated struggles for independence. The first was on October 10, 1868; the last began on July 26, 1953 with the attack on the Moncada Garrison led by Fidel Castro. This revolution culminated in the establishment of the current republic on January 1, 1959. For a more detailed social history of Cuba click here.

National anthem

Its words and music were written by the patriot Pedro (Perucho) Figueredo of Bayamo. It was sung as an inspirational song and war cry for the first time on October 20, 1868 in the township of Bayamo, in eastern Cuba, and was later adopted as Cuba’s national anthem.

Words of the Cuban national anthem

Cuba’s flag, first raised in the city of Cárdenas in Matanzas province.

Listen to the Cuban national anthem

Cuban national symbols

BirdTrogon (tocororo in Spanish), an endemic species whose plumage is the same colors as the Cuban flag (red, blue and white).

TreePalma Real [Royal palm], seen on the national shield and a familiar element of the Cuban landscape.

National holiday

January 1

Liberation Day. Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution.

Date varies

Good Friday.

May 1

International Workers’ Day.

July 25, 26 and 27

Festivities for the Day of National Rebellion.

October 10

Anniversary of the beginning of the Independence Wars.

December 25

Christmas.

December 31

New Year’s Eve.

Economy

Cuba is a socialist country wherein all the major industries are owed by the people and administered by their democratically elected government. The two pillars of the Cuban economy are tourism and mining. Other major industries are tobacco, coffee, rum, agriculture, citrus fruit, as well as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare delivery. Cuba has the world’s largest nickel deposits (some 34 per cent of global reserves). It also mines copper, cobalt and magnesium.

Education

Education is provided free of charge at all levels and is compulsory through the ninth grade. In 1961 the country eradicated illiteracy through the National Literacy Campaign. Specialized polytechnic institutes, universities and other higher education centers exist in all the provinces.

Healthcare

Cuba’s primary health care system is considered unique in Latin America. Medical services are provided free of charge to all Cubans. It is organized around an extensive network of medical centers (442 polyclinics and 281 hospitals), as well as other specialized centers. Cuba is among six countries in the world that produce interferon. Its vaccines against meningitis B and C and hepatitis B are unique in the world. These achievements are possible thanks to the existence of 211 scientific research and production institutes. Life expectancy is 76.2 years for men and 80.4 years for women.

Child mortality rates

Country, followed by infant deaths per 1000 live births in first five years of life

Culture and music

Cuba has produced major international figures in literature and fine arts, film, ballet, modern dance and theatre. The country is also renowned for its original rhythms such as the danzón, son, bolero, mambo, cha cha chá and more. Cuba’s prestigious cultural events attract international celebrities in dance, music, theatre and other arts. Among these events are the Casa de las Américas literary contest, the Havana International Ballet Festival, the Festival of New Latin American Cinema and the International Jazz Festival.

Sports

Source: www.granma.cu

Every year, Cuba hosts numerous international sports events. A world sports power, the country is known for baseball, boxing and volleyball, and boasts stars in track and field, fencing, judo, Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, chess and weightlifting. Cuba’s national sport is baseball!

Religion

The country’s Constitution guarantees total freedom of religion. The most commonly practiced religion is Santería, a unique Afrocuban belief system. Santería is a mix of the West African religion of Yoruba and Catholicism. Slaves from Africa adopted this form of saint worship so they could continue practicing their faith under a guise that placated their Catholic slave masters. Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jews are also represented.

Cuban cocktails

The quality of Cuban rum is recognized internationally and comes in four distillations: refined, white, gold and aged. Gold and aged rums are better for drinking straight, while white rum (carta blanca or carta plata) is best for cocktails. Several of the world’s most famous rum cocktails are Cuban, and are served in most bars around the globe. Drinks include the Cuba libre, the mojito, the daiquiri, the Cubanito and the saoco. Learn more about Cuban rum.

Cuba questions?

Ask a question about Cuban history and culture.

We are happy to answer your questions about Cuba. Call 1-888-965-5647 toll free or email us.

Our Cuba travel arranges wholesale and customized tour packages to Cuba for travel agencies and agents. We have offices in Cuba, the United States, and Canada. Our Cuba travel is licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under section 31 C.F.R. §515.572(a)(1) to send Americans to Cuba legally.

Hotel star rankings are assigned based upon the number of amenities and services offered. This designation system is used in the Americas. In Cuba, hotels are generally older and less well maintained than in the United States. So, for example, a five star hotel in Cuba, while having the same number of amenities and services, will not appear or feel like a similarly appointed facility in the States.

Comparing star ratings in Cuba to those in the United States

Five Stars. Facilities with the best accommodations available in Cuba with a full range amenities and services. Equivalent to four star in the States. Few are avaliable and they are expensive.

Four Stars. Good facilities offering quality accommodations with many amenities and services. Equivalent to a three-star hotel in America.

Three Stars. Medium class facilities with comfortable rooms, fewer of amenities and services. Good if on a budget. Comparable to modest three star in the North.

Two Stars. Modest accommodations with limited amenities and services. Can be uncomfortable. Think roadside motel.

One Star. Basic accommodations offering few amenities and services – similar to a hostel for youth and backpackers.